FRISCO – DeMarcus Lawrence has his stated preference. He does not want to necessarily find out his cost on the open market should he indeed hit free agency, which opens up officially on March 12, with the “legal tampering period” starting on March 10 …

And of course with the hometown teams able to make deals with their own guys right now, if they wish.

It was a week ago at the NFL Scouting Combine when the Cowboys visited with Lawrence’s agent, David Canter. We’re told no hard contract proposals were exchanged.

But as Canter told us, “I’m optimistic … There’s a number. If the number gets done, DeMarcus is wearing No. 90 and running back on the field and getting the players and the fans riled up.”

That’s “Tank’s” vision as well, the former second-round pick and $20 million per year guy hoping he can remain in Dallas and eventually retire as a Cowboy.

Said Lawrence: “I’m going to have other options, but I’d like to stay here. It would be a glorious thing. My family is here. I love it here. The fans love me here.”

There is some truth to that. And the fans would especially love it if Lawrence – a steady performer during his 11-year, 141-game career in Dallas as a four-time Pro Bowler – comes back under the terms of a prediction that seems low-ball crazy to us.

SI is projecting that Lawrence will eventually sign, somewhere, for a paltry $5 million on a one-year deal.

We can tell you that Lawrence and Canter aren’t exactly onboard with that number.

Tank is 32 and he has battled injuries the last two seasons. But the idea of him moving on is based on the belief that he’ll get a far more attractive offer than that outside of Dallas. Lawrence, on NFL.com’s list of the Top 101 free agents, is ranked No. 48.

Cowboys COO Stephen Jones is saying that the Cowboys will be “selectively aggressive” this offseason. A key decision in that plan will be not only how the Cowboys go after available “outside” players, but also how they approach the re-signing of their own stars.

“The ball,” Lawrence said, “is in their court.”

But at $5 million? That “ball” is a low-ball.